Orrin Aldred Paulson

Orrin A. Paulson, age 95, of Alexandria, died on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at Alomere Health.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., on Monday, August 26, 2024, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria with Pastor Megan Preston presiding. Full military honors will be accorded by the Minnesota Honor Guard, American Legion Post #87, Veteran of Foreign Wars Post #936, Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter #235, and the Marine Corps League Detachment #1409. 

Visitation is one hour prior to the service.

Orrin Aldred Paulson was born on February 23, 1929, to Selmer and Borghild (Haarstad) Paulson in Fergus Falls. He was baptized and confirmed at Aastad Lutheran Church. Orrin graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1948. He served in the US Army from 1947-1951, and was honorably discharged as a Seargent 1st Class. Orrin was united in marriage to Alice May Elder on January 5, 1951, in Mitchell, South Dakota. He worked for the State of Minnesota as an adolescent counselor early in his career at the State Hospitals in Fergus Falls and Willmar. He then transferred to the Department of Public Safety and worked as a Driver’s License Evaluator/Hearing Officer. Orrin retired on December 24, 1985, after 36 years of public service. He was a member of the American Legion, served on many church councils, Lions Club member in Willmar, school board chair in Minneota, Brentwood Southern Board Member in Mesa, Arizona. 

Orrin enjoyed hunting, fishing, and during his retirement, he loved to golf and bowl. He also played in two different bands for 20 plus years. His gift to play music by ear included the accordion, harmonica, piano and trombone. He rode his Harley Davidson all over the country for 20 years, and at the age of 85 went skydiving and took a ride in a hot air balloon. His dry sense of humor lasted through out his life and as a requirement in confirmation to memorize a Bible verse chose, “Jesus wept”, the shortest verse in the Bible. The pastor expected more, but Orrin was very proud of being so clever. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice “Smay” Paulson; son, Steven Paulson; brother, Sanford Paulson; sister, Jocelyn Weiby; parents; sister-in-law, Gail Paulson; brother-in-law, Ed Weiby; parents-in-law and if you asked Orrin, he would say “and just about everybody else”.

Orrin is survived by his sons, Bruce (Laurie) Paulson of Frederic, Wisconsin and Mark (Margaret) Paulson of Alexandria; daughter-in-law, Mary (Jerry Lindor) of Morris, Minnesota; seven grandchildren, Lisa (Craig) Selk, Craig (Trish) Paulson, Nicole (Eric) Leicht, Sara (Brett) Sieberer, Matthew (Danielle) Paulson, Adam (Mindy) Paulson, and Eric (Jatelyn) Paulson; 18 great-grandchildren, Anna and Joshua Leicht, Alyssa (fiancé, Sam Lupnow), Cole and McKenna Selk, Bridget, Elizabeth and Shelby Sieberer, Katrina, Natalia, Gabriella, Hadley, Tinsley, Berkley, Dexen, Dansby, Maxwell, and Marley Paulson; four cousins; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Urnbearers are Lisa Selk, Nicole Leicht, Matt Paulson, and Adam Paulson.